A GLIDING Club, which said it was under threat two years ago, has been granted a windfall of nearly £48,000 of National Lottery cash.

There were fears for the future of Booker Gliding Club, based at Wycombe Air Park in Booker, Great Marlow, when plans were rolled out for a football and rugby stadium at the site.

The proposal for Wycombe Wanderers and Wasps to relocate was scrapped and now gliders are sky high with excitement after getting the £47,820 lottery grant. The club will transform its World War Two hangar and create a Training and Resource Centre to house its gliding simulator.

This will be used for group activities to introduce gliding to youngsters and those unable participate fully in the sport because they do not meet the medical requirements for flight or are on a low income.

The money will come from Sport England's Inspired Facilities fund.

Part of the funding will go towards a trailer for the simulator so that it can be taken to other venues for use by youth and community groups.

Booker Gliding Club’s Deputy Chairman, Denis Campbell, said: "We are delighted by this opportunity to widen access to the sport of gliding. The club already has an active cadet scheme, encouraging and enabling young people to develop their skills, and we look forward to welcoming other members of the community to discover gliding."

Booker Gliding Club is one of more than 300 projects across England receiving lottery investment from the fourth round of the Inspired Facilities fund and one of more than 1,300 to benefit overall.

Sport England’s Chair, Nick Bitel, said: "A year on from the Olympics, this National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Buckinghamshire. With investment now on offer from our Inspired Facilities Fund until 2017, we look forward to supporting many more sports clubs in the South East who play such a vital role in grassroots sport."